PSG defeats Arsenal again and to face Inter in Champions League final

Champions League, semifinal, second leg

PSG – Arsenal – 2:1 (first leg – 1:0)
Goals: Ruiz 27', Hakimi 72' – Saka 76'
Missed penalty: Vitinha (PSG), 69' (saved by goalkeeper)

How match played out

After the chaos of the other semifinal between Barcelona and Inter, the minimalism of this tie felt much more subdued. Still, it had its moments - passion, intensity, and even a missed penalty. But in terms of drama, there’s simply no comparison.

Following their home defeat, Arsenal had no choice but to push forward. The London side started aggressively and came close to an early goal. However, Gianluigi Donnarumma's brilliant performance denied the Gunners any breakthrough. First, the Italian keeper positioned himself perfectly to stop Martinelli’s shot, then showcased lightning reflexes to parry Saka’s attempt.

Gradually, PSG found their rhythm and took the lead in the 27th minute. Fabián Ruiz struck precisely from the edge of the box, leaving Arsenal’s keeper Raya with no chance. From there, the task for the Londoners became even more difficult.

Ruiz opens the scoring (photo: uefa.com)

After the break, Arsenal were expected to come out firing again, just like in the opening minutes of the first half. But that level of dominance never materialized. The Gunners controlled possession but failed to create any lethal chances, while PSG found success on the counterattack.

In one such break, the ball struck Lewis-Skelly’s hand inside the Arsenal penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot - PSG had a golden chance to put the game to bed. But Vitinha’s penalty was woefully struck, and Raya comfortably saved it.

Still, just three minutes later, the French champions doubled their lead. Arsenal lost the ball in midfield, and the PSG trio of Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, and Hakimi combined brilliantly. Hakimi finished it off with a curling strike that nestled just inside the post.

Hakimi makes it 2–0 (photo: uefa.com)

Arsenal managed to pull one back quickly, with Saka responding almost immediately. The Gunners’ top striker then had a golden opportunity to level the score but missed an open goal with Donnarumma already beaten.

The visitors clearly had the desire to turn the game around. But PSG managed the final minutes with composure and discipline, denying Arsenal any real chances and seeing out the win efficiently.

Saka responds (photo: uefa.com)

What Zinchenko did

PSG not only knocked out a Premier League giant - they also dashed hopes of seeing a fourth Ukrainian player lift the Champions League trophy. After Arsenal's dramatic quarterfinal win over Real Madrid, Oleksandr Zinchenko and his teammates were among the top contenders.

Zinchenko, as expected, was listed in the matchday squad but did not appear on the pitch. With Arsenal now out of the tournament, we can recap his Champions League season: the Ukrainian featured in six matches, playing a total of 193 minutes and scoring once, against PSV in the Round of 16.

What to expect in final

On May 31 at Munich's Allianz Arena, the European Cup will be contested by Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

Inter still have domestic battles ahead in May, competing with Napoli for the Serie A title. PSG, however, can now focus solely on preparing for the biggest game of their season.

This will be PSG's second-ever Champions League final appearance; they lost to Bayern Munich in 2020. Inter, by contrast, are seasoned finalists, having won three of their six previous appearances.

So what will May 31 bring: a fourth European crown for the Italians, or PSG's long-awaited first triumph?

Earlier, FIFA announced changes to the Club World Cup lineup, unexpectedly opening the door for a Ukrainian player.

And there's also news about Carlo Ancelotti’s surprising decision to leave Real Madrid.